Genius Paisley was the master tactician

Bob Paisley with replicas of European cups he won as Liverpool FC manager _320

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THE class of 1978/79 believe the tactical genius of boss Bob Paisley was the key to Liverpool’s record-breaking campaign.

It was the third of Paisley’s six league title triumphs during a stunning nine-year rein which also yielded three European Cups, three League Cups and a UEFA Cup.

“I think when Bob first succeeded Shanks he was a bit overawed,” said goalkeeper Ray Clemence.

“He saw it as his duty to take the job, yet he set an incredible record that will never be beaten.

“Things just snowballed for him. For me, he was a better coach than motivator of men, but a shrewd judge of a player and very strong tactically.”

Skipper Phil Thompson, a key member of Paisley’s miserly defence, said: “Bob bought players and moulded them together to create great teams.

“People talked about him as ‘Uncle Bob’ but he was as ruthless as they come. He could be hard but he went about it in the right way and was quite gentlemanly about it. He had a genius for creating teams.”

Midfielder Graeme Souness added: “He was a commanding man and there were few who dared mess around with him.

“If we looked as though we were becoming a little complacent, Bob would say: ‘If you have all had enough of winning, come and see me and I will sell the lot of you and buy 11 new players’.”

Top scorer Kenny Dalglish said: “There was only one Bob Paisley and he was the greatest of them all.